Gastroenteritis cases on the rise in Navi Mumbai

Although not a single swine flu case has been reported so far, there has been a drastic rise in the number of gastroenteritis cases in the monsoon.

According to data from NMMC’s health department, a total of 29 patients have been diagnosed with gastro in June, a significant rise in comparison to last year when only nine cases were reported in the same month. The department said that prior to the monsoon, they had circulated 1 lakh pamphlets warning people of infectious diseases that could spread due to water and unhygienic food.

“Gastro is a sporadic disease and every year during the monsoons there is a surge in the number of various monsoon related ailments that are reported to the NMMC. There are times when Navi Mumbai residents are known to go and eat at places outside the city limits, due to which the cases are reported to the NMMC,” said Dr Ramesh Nikam, health department, NMMC.

Several people residing in nodes like Airoli, Ghansoli and Shirvane have contracted the illness. “We have been appealing to people to ensure their building’s water tanks are cleaned regularly, and to avoid consuming food from roadside vendors,” added Nikam.

As far as other water-borne diseases go, there have been nine cases of diarrhoea, six of dysentery and two of typhoid, which have been reported to the NMMC health department.

Precautions>> Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating>> Avoid outside food>> Drink water that is either boiled or filtered. All fruits and vegetables should be washed and eaten>> Avoid eating stale food